CDC Changes Hepatitis B Vaccine Recommendations Amid Controversy

Vaccine advisers for the CDC voted to limit hepatitis B vaccinations for newborns, a significant change from the previous guidance recommending vaccination within 24 hours of birth. The advisory panel, appointed by Health Secretary Robert F.

Kennedy Jr., voted 8-3 to suggest that parents consult with healthcare providers about the vaccination for infants born to mothers who test negative for hepatitis B. This decision has raised concerns about the potential increase in preventable infections, with experts predicting up to 1,400 infections, 300 liver cancer cases, and 480 deaths annually if the birth dose is delayed.

Critics, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, have condemned the decision, arguing it undermines decades of public health success and may lead to confusion and access issues for families, particularly those with lower incomes.

The Illinois Department of Public Health and various medical organizations have indicated they will continue to recommend the hepatitis B vaccine for all newborns, despite the new federal guidance. The CDC's acting director, Jim O'Neill, will ultimately decide whether to adopt the panel's recommendations, which have created a patchwork of vaccine guidelines across the country.

The shift reflects broader tensions in U.S. public health policy, especially under the Trump administration, which has been characterized by controversial changes to vaccine recommendations and a growing anti-vaccine sentiment among some officials.